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Biomedical subjects

G Lindblad

Publications and source records attributed to G Lindblad.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Subcutaneous administration of hyaluronan reduces the number of infectious exacerbations in patients with chronic bronchitis.

Hyaluronan (HA) is a high molecular weight glycosaminoglycan found in large amounts in the skin, joints, and other organs. Previous studies have shown that HA stimulates neutrophil functions both in vitro and in vivo. The object of this study was to test the hypothesis that HA administration subcutaneously might reduce the number of bacterial infections in humans with an increased susceptibility to such infections. For this purpose we have studied 29 patients with chronic bronchitis and recurrent acute exacerbations of their disease. The patients were randomly separated into two groups. One group had HA for 6 mo followed by 6 mo of placebo, and the other group started with placebo treatment followed by HA. The treatment periods occurred during two consecutive winter periods. HA-treated patients had significantly fewer acute exacerbations (p = 0.01) than did placebo-treated patients. Likewise the consumption of antibiotics and other signs of bacterial infections were reduced. In the crossover study the placebo-treated patients again had much higher numbers of acute exacerbations than did the HA-treated patients (p < 0.0001). It is concluded that HA reduces the number of infectious exacerbations in patients with chronic bronchitis, possibly by enhancing cellular host defense mechanisms. HA is a new endogenous substance that can be used to stimulate host defense reactions and reduce the need of antibiotics. Before being recommended for clinical use, however, our results should be confirmed by further studies.

Aged↗

Hyaluronan turnover in the synovial fluid in metacarpophalangeal--and middle carpal joints in standardbred horses.

The biological turnover of hyaluronan (sodium hyaluronate) of different molecular weights (0.6 x 10(6) and 2.5 x 10(6) Daltons) was studied in the synovial fluid of the middle carpal and metacarpophalangeal joints of 6 clinically healthy Standardbred horses. The hyaluronan was radioactively labelled with 14C. The biological half-life (t1/2) was calculated from repeated synovial samples after injection of the labelled hyaluronan. The mean t1/2 in the metacarpophalangeal joints was 9.7 h for low molecular weight hyaluronan and 8.9 h for high molecular weight hyaluronan and in the middle carpal joints 16.0 h and 12.5 h respectively. These was no significant difference in turnover of the different molecular weights of hyaluronan.

Animals↗

Neutrophil function in chronic bronchitis.

This study was initiated with the question: Do defects in neutrophil functions predispose patients with chronic bronchitis to their recurrent bacterial infections? Forty five patients with chronic bronchitis and recurrent bacterial infections were studied. A number of aspects of neutrophil functions reflecting migratory and phagocytic functions and oxidative metabolism were measured in vitro, once in all 45 patients and 3 times in 22 patients over a period of 6 months. A great number of abnormalities was found on the first occasion with a complete normalization for all variables except one at the end of the observation period. The number of infectious exacerbations was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) at the start of the observation period i.e. October-November, as compared to the end, i.e. April-May. The oxidative metabolism, as reflected by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, was significantly reduced (p less than 0.001) also at the period of few infections, suggesting a primary defect of the neutrophil. Smoking was shown to adversely affect luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence and the chemokinetic activity of the patients' cells. We conclude that most variables were altered in a way which was anticipated from the study of individuals with acute bacterial infections. The probable primary defect in oxidative metabolism of the neutrophils in addition to the acquired defects as a consequence of smoking may add to the predisposition of some individuals to their recurrent bacterial infections.

Adult↗

A method for the quantification of cartilage proteoglycan structures liberated to the synovial fluid during developing degenerative joint disease.

An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for the quantification of proteoglycans or proteoglycan fragments in biological fluids is presented. The assay has been used to determine concentrations of articular cartilage proteoglycans and/or fragments thereof in synovial fluid in early stages of osteoarthrosis. Osteoarthrosis was induced in one knee joint of nine German wire haired pointers by transection of the anterior cruciate ligament. All dogs developed osteoarthrosis in terms of macroscopic as well as microscopic criteria. Attempts were made to aspirate synovial fluid, prior to surgery and at various times in the postoperative period, from the joint operated on as well as from the contralateral joint. Concentrations of proteoglycans (fragments) of one type of aggregating proteoglycan were significantly higher in the synovial fluid samples from the joint operated on compared to the contralateral joint (p less than 0.001), while the difference observed when the other type of aggregating proteoglycan was used as the test antigen was less significant (p less than 0.05). The concentration of proteoglycans (fragments) in synovial fluid samples from joints operated on was significantly higher after the operation when compared with the preoperative concentration (p less than 0.001). No correction has been made for the increased dilution due to hydrops of the joints operated on.

Animals↗

Experiments with a new contrast medium in myelography.

A new dimeric contrast medium, Ph DZ 59B, was injected into the subarachnoid space in experimental animals. Excellent films were invariably obtained. Ph DZ 59B was well tolerated by dogs and cats and relatively well by monkeys.

Animals↗